BTS member Jungkook just dropped the teaser for his upcoming single “Seven” on July 13, KST. While Han So Hee‘s appearance in the video was the cherry on top for ARMYs, nobody expected to see Latto‘s name as a feature on the track, and the phrases “Featuring Who” and “Featuring Latto” (in all caps, by the way) started trending on Twitter shortly.
Who is Latto?
While many BTS fans are already familiar with the artist, some are also just getting introduced to her. Latto, often known by her other stage name, Big Latto, is an American rapper and singer. She was the winner of The Rap Game season one, a reality show where she came to be known as Miss Mulatto.
Her breakout hit was a 2019 single called “B*tch from da Souf,” which went viral on social media and landed her a record deal with RCA Records. The song entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2020.
Latto’s second hit came in 2020 with “Muwop ft. Gucci Mane,” which went platinum. But her biggest hit yet is the 2022 track “Big Energy,” the lead single of her second studio album. The song peaked at number three on Billboard Hot 100.
In the short span of her career, Latto has already racked up accolades, one after another. She was nominated as the Best New Hip Hop Artist at the 2020 BET Hip Hop Awards and Top Rap Female Artist at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards. The same year, she won the BET Award for Best New Artist. At the 2023 Grammy Awards, she was nominated for Best New Artist.
Latto’s BTS Connection
ARMYs are excited to hear Latto on “Seven” with Jungkook, seeing how she has been delivering hit after hit. But at the same time, this link-up was pretty unexpected, given that the two artists seemingly have never crossed paths before. Or so most Latto non-fans thought.
7⃣7⃣7⃣ S/O to da ARMY
https://t.co/mjL9I3EP6G
— BIG LATTO
(@Latto) July 12, 2023
After the feature was announced, ARMYs already familiar with the artist started connecting some dots and landed on her song “Put It On Da Floor Again.” In the music video, Latto was seen playing with a Tata plushie, one of the characters designed by the BTS members in collaboration with LINE FRIENDS.
TATA IN LATTO’S HAND IM CRYING
— hani⁷ ᵇʸ ʲᵏ (@itsbtszone) July 12, 2023
this was a sign i think pic.twitter.com/1CxWMApawc
— SEVEN (@joonspogostick) July 12, 2023
tata’s ass ain’t got dribbled for NO REASONpic.twitter.com/fK3BDh8obs
— seven
(@doctorkoobert) July 12, 2023
not on TATA’s cameo on @Latto‘s MV
this was a sign pic.twitter.com/TiVLBt892h
— Only Bangtan PH (@OnlyBangtanPH) July 12, 2023
As unserious as this “hint” was, fans also realized that Latto’s last album was called 777, a happy coincidence given the importance of the number seven for BTS and ARMYs.
it’s so funny bc isnt latto’s last album named 777
—
⁷ l
TORONTO AMI
(@userbfIy) July 12, 2023
latto doing her signature number 777 and bts lucky number being 7 y’all shes one of my favorite collabs already this is destiny pic.twitter.com/04N0P7uTTI
— skya
(@andfuckvmin) July 12, 2023
Did I know who Latto is before I googled her? No. Do I think it’s hilarious that Jungkook from 7-obsessed group BTS is releasing a song called Seven with aN ARTIST who had an album called”777″? Absolutely.
THE SEVENS ARE REACHING A NEW HEIGHT PEOPLE https://t.co/65nVkN2a6a— RETURN OF THE KING∞⁷ (@YaGurlSunshine) July 12, 2023
Fans couldn’t be more convinced that this collaboration was bound to happen someday. Meanwhile, after the announcement, Latto gave a shoutout to ARMYs on Twitter and posted an Instagram story showing off her sexy outfit with BTS’s “Epilogue: Young Forever” playing in the background. The contrast cracked up people immediately.
.@latto instagram via story. After the announcement #JungKook‘s new single “Seven” featuring Latto. She Used Epilogue: young forever by BTS as her background music. pic.twitter.com/NP1x0Ch98s
— Mari
(@Ethiomari) July 12, 2023
the song choice is killing me
— jaz⁷ (@koobidotcom) July 12, 2023
OUT OF EVERY SONG SHE IN A BIKINI TO YOUNG FOREVER IM CRYIN LIKE
— skya
Even the ARMYs who weren’t familiar with Latto are now rooting for her feature, thanks to the rapper’s discography and humorous personality. Meanwhile, the fated track, “Seven,” drops on July 14, 1 pm, KST.
